The enigmatic French striker was sacked by the Baggies on Friday night after Anelka initially announced he had terminated his contract with the club in the aftermath of his ban for the 'quenelle' gesture.

However, after Youssouf Mulumbu's goal gave Mel his first win as West Brom boss at Swansea, the new Baggies manager was keen to focus on his current crop of players.

"After a win it (the Anelka situation) is not important. What is important now is the fans, the players and the club," Mel told Sky Sports.

"I am pleased for the fans and the players, and Swansea are a big team.

"We needed to win."

Swansea were good value for their lead after dominating the first half, but the Baggies were a different side after the break, and turned things around to earn a vital three points to ease the pressure on Mel.

"At half-time we spoke about the poor play, and the second half we came out better," Mel added.

"We were strong together, and were compact. I think this is the right way.

"I am head coach, and when the head coach does not win, it is always the same."

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.